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Women for Green Growth develops sustainable cocoa-drying ovens: solar + biogas
In partnership with CocoaMasters, WGG has developed a renewable energy technology based on passive solar energy and biogas, which will be used to dry cocoa beans. Millions of tons of cocoa are currently dried with the use of fire wood. For each ton of dried cocoa, between 3 to 5 tonnes of wood are consumed. This is a major, but often unacknowledged, factor in the rampant deforestation witnessed in the major cocoa-growing regions of West and Central Africa. WGG's cocoa ovens offer an entirely new method to dry the valuable beans. The innovative process is based on two components, which work in sync: a low-cost passive solar energy unit provides ambient heat and dries the beans slowly, whereas biogas is used to provide supplemental heat in the absence of sufficient insolation (see figures).
Traditionally, cocoa beans are either dried in the sun, or in ovens which use large amounts of fire wood. Even though sun-drying has many advantages, it is a slow and unreliable process. The so-called “bush ovens” and “pipe ovens” speed up the process and are preferred by most cocoa farmers. But their disadvantages are manifold: because of the rapid heating process, the cocoa beans lose a considerable amount of their weight, thus reducing the returns for the farmer; smoke from wood-fired ovens also contaminates the beans, which may even lead to their rejection by international buyers; finally, the wood-fired ovens contribute to deforestation and to smoke pollution which may affect the health of the farmer (see comparison of oven-types).
 The solar and biogas combo developed by WGG overcomes most of these issues. The units are low-cost, reliable and easily replicable. A unique part of the technology is the use of a waste-product for the production of the biogas. Until now, the liquid which is drained off from cocoa beans before they are dried, is wasted. This liquid – the actual fruit which can be found inside a cocoa-pod – is an excellent substrate for the production of biogas. It is the first time this waste product is used for the production of bioenergy. In short, WGG and CocoaMasters have generated an exceptional synergy capable of solving several environmental and agro-processing problems simultaneously: the reduction of fire-wood consumption and deforestation (and consequently climate change), the efficient use of an agricultural waste-stream, and the elimination of smoke contamination and pollution. Drying cocoa is a labor-intensive, male-dominated business. WGG has, however, developed a business model that reduces labor costs, yields carbon credits, and puts women in charge. The concept is based on a leasing model, in which cocoa-farmers hire drying space in women-controlled ovens, and are rewarded for using the renewable energy technology. In Cameroon, where many of WGG's members live, there are already several successful examples of cocoa-ovens run and owned by women's groups. We now intend to replicate this model, but augment it with an innovative technology and an improved business model that taps the carbon markets. WGG and CocoaMasters have created a consortium to seek funding for the use of the technology and business model in a concrete project context. Our target area is the South-West Region of Cameroon – the world's fifth largest cocoa producing country – because both organisations are based there. Traditional wood-fired ovens are the dominant cocoa-drying technology in this region. This situation is partly responsible for the deforestation of the unique, highly biodiverse rain forests of the South-West. We aim to turn this situation around. About Women for Green Growth Women for Green Growth is an African environmental organisation focusing on key spheres of interaction with the environment in which women play the biggest role: energy, agriculture, water management and sanitation, and the built environment. The organisation aims to provide practical innovations and interventions in these fields, in order to make the lives of women and men in the developing world more sustainable. More info: http://www.womenforgreengrowth.org About the CocoaMasters CocoaMasters is an organisation of small African cocoa farmers who aim to bring structural changes to their industry. They research and invest in climate-friendly production systems which protect forests, soils and biodiversity. They are also working towards a participation in the markets of organic and fair trade cocoa. Their ultimate goal: to provide alternatives for the current modes of production which perpetuate social, economic and environmental injustices within the sector. More info: http://www.cocoamasters.org
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